Workers in the United States contribute to the Social Security program. But what about foreign workers? Do they get to receive Social Security benefits?
Can you get Social Security benefits without being a US citizen?
Tens of millions of workers in the United States contribute to the Social Security program through the taxes that are levied on their wages. This includes undocumented workers, who in 2022 paid into the system $25.7 billion via direct Social Security taxes, according to an analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP).
However, undocumented workers cannot claim Social Security benefits, but those foreign-born workers who have been naturalized, have a Green Card or work permit may be able to receive Social Security benefits. Although, just like native-born contributors to the Social Security system they must earn a minimum of 40 credits to qualify for SSA retirement benefits.
In the event that an eligible non-citizen who is receiving Social Security benefits is deported, their benefits will stop but those that are being paid to family members may continue.
Non-citizens living in the United States may be eligible for Social Security if:
- They are legal permanent residents.
- Have a visa that allows them to work in the United States.
- Were allowed into the country under the Family Unity or Immediate Relative provisions of United States immigration law.
Non-citizens living abroad may also qualify for Social Security but with restrictions
If a non-citizen doesn’t get naturalized and chooses to move to another country once they begin receiving Social Security benefits they must meet certain criteria in order to avoid benefit payments from ending. The SSA cannot disburse payments to a non-citizen beneficiary once they have been absent from the U.S. for six consecutive months.
The person can begin receiving benefits again, but they must return and remain lawfully present for the entire calendar month, meaning “physically present for every hour of every day of any month of the year.”
Can immigrants receive Supplemental Security Income?
On the other hand, according to SSA, a non-citizen may also be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if they meet the requirements of the non-citizen laws. In general, as of August 22, 1996, most non-citizens must meet two requirements to be potentially eligible for SSI:
- Be in a qualified alien category
- Meet a condition that allows qualified aliens to get SSI
In the case of SSI, the beneficiary must reside in the United States. An absence of more than 30 days from the U.S. will result in benefits being terminated.
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